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The Esoteric Grimoire  Before I went our epic road trip adventure to see Alaska Thunderfuck, Jinkx Monsoon, Ivy Winters, and Coco Montrese at Parliament House's White Party, I intended to post a playlist consisting of the road trip mix CD I made for the drive. I'll post that at some point for the curious; it was hard to narrow it down enough to fit on a single CD, but it worked well for its purpose (a mix of singalongs and the obscure ones that people are more likely to talk over, but make a nice background and should someone listen, they like it). However, yesterday (I keep wanting to call it "this weekend," but it was 2:30 pm yesterday to almost 4:30 this morning) transcended expectations. I really need to become a competent driver so I can go on road trips and not make someone else do all the driving. There's something about the air of the open road and being in a compact space with a few favorite people (in this case, Mary, Mike, Tim and Aaron) that's awesome regardless of the destination and what you do when you get there. It is always, as they say, fun to get away from camp, even for an hour. And our two rules, no womping and don't talk about the future were effectively upheld. Taylor Swift, "Mean" - I'm not sure why this has suddenly become an FST intern anthem. I'd never heard it before yesterday, but it's not new. I think it probably has to do with the silliness and bitterness of the assertion that all someone's ever going to be is mean. If only people you hate were guaranteed to be less successful than yourself. Other memorable road songs include "We R Who We R," "Don't Stop Me Now," and "Total Eclipse of the Heart." On the way, we swung by Dinosaur World to look around outside/the gift shop and take photos. That's a definite theme of the trip. As we got into view of Disney, we switched to music like this, the closest we got to breaking the "don't talk about the future" rule. We spent our Orlando afternoon at Downtown Disney, basically wandering around, being our usual goofball selves, and taking lots of photos. As with Dinosaur World, we managed to enjoy ourselves quite a bit without having to pay any entrance fees. We saw a human statue and some live music, but mostly just got excited by all the Disney stuff and amused each other. We passed on overpriced Disney dinner in favor of a short trek to the infamous Wawa, then headed to Parliament House, where I stressed out over being short and the possibility of not being able to see, but ultimately had a great view of both shows. Which were amazing. By the end of the first show, I was overcome by my love for Alaska, Jinkx, and the people I came with. It has been suggested that I might end up like the 76 year-old woman in the front, still going to drag shows after all these years. I screamed by throat dry, danced my feet sore, and after the second show, we each got our picture taken with the queens. I honestly don't know who I want to win; I think I love Alaska a little more consistently, overall (even though I can't find the right videos to show why), but Jinkx is a fierce performer, and when she's on her game, she's brilliant. (I couldn't sleep on the way home even if I hadn't been trying to help keep Mary awake and driving. I was wired and life was beautiful.) Cannibal! the Musical, "Shpadoinkle" and "Let's Build A Snowman" - Cannibal! was one of my favorite Thursday Fright Night choices. Last Fright Night was technically (?) the last, 'cause we finally watched Cabin in the Woods, which was pretty great and Joss. But I'm grateful for the path to it too (except for VHS and the rough night after Funny Games). There's a little resentment in this playlist and a little bit of my life these days. Living in Sarasota means I haven't been to a concert in almost a year. And I've never seen a Drag Race queen live. So yeah. Yesterday was a day in which I got yelled at a lot for things I couldn't change at work when I should have been watching Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman be awesome at Ringling College. Amanda Palmer, "Ukulele Anthem" This seems to be the song everyone linked to and posted lyrics from after the show. Stop pretending art is hard and all that inspirational stuff. I like how it's very her but it's also kind of anti-folk and not particularly gothic. Amanda Palmer (& Neil Gaiman), "Science Fiction Double Feature" Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer, "The Problem With Saints" We needed some more Neil in here. Sharon Needles, "This Club Is A Haunted House" (I don't love the Drag Race queens for musical reasons, but playlists are by definition musical.) Sharon Needles, lipsyncing "Toxic" in her post-apocalyptic runway look. [My goal in life is to be a cross between Sharon Needles and Jujubee.] Latrice Royale, "Jesus Is A Biscuit" Dude, Amanda Palmer and Sharon Needles should do a show together. Actually, though, that would be amazing. On my birthday, I woke up at 6 and watched the sun rise over a Florida highway on the way "home" from a lovely mini-road trip. I worked, ate lots of sugar, and felt a little bit guilty about how nice and thoughtful and awesome so many people were. I guess my college birthdays always felt a bit more awkward or something. There are a lot of topics I could turn to in order to talk about my life recently, but at the moment, I'm going for this one. I'm a week away from 23, with a future recently confirmed uncertain. I've often said that my life at FST, socially at least, has been more "college" than it was at Swarthmore, and that's not untrue. Still, when asked about Rocky Horror at New College last night, besides the basic "fun," I keep coming back to the word "college." It was very college. Obviously, it was at a college. Miranda's college, Miranda who was young when I knew her in high school. But there was something surprising about it being so college, because the fact is, I'm not in college anymore. I don't sit in lecture halls full of college students. It was nice and I had a good time, but there was also something a little unsettling about it, and just a little bit immature. I don't feel "grown up" and I don't want to, but I think maybe part of my "image" (or is it "identity"?) shifting is that I don't really want to seem like I'm 14. For better or for worse, I'm turning 23, I live on my own, and sometimes I need to be taken seriously. Sometimes I need to come off as an adult, someone you'd want to hire, promote, listen to. I can do "college" things and enjoy them, but recognize them as what they are. I can pass as a college student, but that's what it is; I'm not a college kid passing as an intern (with a degree). I feel the need to include the relevant xkcd, in case there's anyone on the internet who hasn't seen it or doesn't remember. Also this. Amanda Palmer, "Bottomfeeder" Starting where I left off with the last post, technically not a playlist. There's something apocalyptic about this song for me. I don't actually know what it means. Of course I love the verse that has to do with Jim Morrison, but when it gets to the end, there's something really powerful about it for me. It take me on a journey. There's something primal and gorgeous in it, especially when she's reduced to a near-scream at the very end. It's very theatrical and makes me want to reread Mercury Fur or Rant or something else raw and primal and beautiful. (I also love listening to an album called Theatre Is Evil at work.) Tegan & Sara, "Walking With A Ghost" This meant something to me for a little while, and now it doesn't. It's just a cute weird little song I kind of like. Melissa Ferrick, "Some Kinda Nerve" Ani DiFranco, "You Had Time" One of the many great things about this song is that by the time it's over, I feel far enough from the beginning that it doesn't feel at all repetitive when I loop it. The same is true of "Bottomfeeder." Patti Smith, "Lo and Beholden" Can't go too long without Patti Smith. Sometimes she reminds me that I want to be an artist, to create, to make people feel things. Of course, she also reminds me of how far I have to go. La Roux, "Bulletproof" This song has been popping up a lot lately in my life and I'm just going to admit that I like it because I may not know too much of how I want my identity to end up, but I think I would like to be unashamed and own up to all the little pieces that add up to who I am. Including appreciating a simple dancey song every once and a while. The Decemberists, "The Rake's Song" I also recently discovered that I like this song. It's on the breakup playlist and I really just wanted to listen to "Bottomfeeder" again, but I couldn't skip this. I would also like to mention that when I went to Like my favorite medieval battle on Facebook the other day, I was delighted to discover that it has a picture, is listed under my favorite Dutch word (Guldensporenslag), and 46 other people Like it. Two Important Addendums: I CANNOT GET THE NEW TY SONG TO PLAY ON MY COMPUTER. This is a problem. Will try at work if I remember. I hate to beat you over the head with the same artists, but... I am obsessed with this song now. So, Dresden Dolls, "Shores of California" I am currently obsessed with this man, this song, this photo, and the white chocolate pumpkin orange truffle thing I bought today from the dangerously-located Short Giraffe bakery/place of deliciousness. First check with my new raise today, a box office shift (in an actual box office) next week, Smokey Joe's closing Sunday, an attempt to do spoken word in front of people on Monday, a job interview tomorrow... Also lots of short plays written by small children. Patti Smith, "Pissing in a River" There's something about Patti Smith. In other news, I saw The Aliens last night at the Asolo. In case you haven't noticed, I really love that play. This production wasn't the religious experience I wanted it to be, but it wasn't bad. The audience was terrible, though. There is a special hell for people who talk about some scene in Eat, Pray, Love during The Aliens. Dear gods. I may sort of love existential crises, but I still pretty much hate New Year's. So here's a playlist about that. (My thoughts on Christmas are best described by "White Wine in the Sun," although I don't like wine and I have a huge appreciation for the thoughtful gift.) John Lennon, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" -- You may note from the lyrics that this is definitely more about New Year's than Christmas. Pink Floyd, "Time" Avenue Q, "For Now" Buffy, "Where Do We Go From Here?" Chicago, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" -- While notoriously stupid, this is the only song I know about ways in which time is arbitrary and constructed. I am not entirely sure why I am this happy. I woke up to a clogged toilet, baked some popovers, went to work where I operated a bulk mail machine that makes me feel like I'm living in Brazil, and then I went to our office Christmas party lunch. All I need is good people and good food. I spent the last hour and a half pretty euphoric. That's even before I found out Caroline made banoffee pie. So, you can imagine me after that. It's hard for me to stop saying how beautiful life is.
Now, back to work. (Also, there was a dancing and guitar-playing chicken puppet. Yeah, that happened.) |
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